Man sentenced to prison for injury accident

Staff Reports

A Stateline man was sentenced to up to seven years in Nevada State Prison in connection with an Oct. 2, 2005, injury accident on Kingsbury Grade.

William Howe, 48, will have to serve a minimum of two years in prison before he is eligible for parole.

Howe admitted drinking and driving when he crossed the centerline and collided with a Toyota pickup occupied by Fred and Valerie Wright, who were on their way home from a camping trip. According to court documents, Howe had a .243 blood alcohol content when tested after the accident. The legal limit in Nevada is .08.

Valerie Wright told District Judge Michael Gibbons that no amount of money will give the couple their lives back after the accident.

"Nothing will be able to make up for my lack of ability to pick up my grandchildren," she said.

Her husband has to use a cane to get around.

"As a teacher, he has to be on his feet, which is hard on him," she said.

When asked by Gibbons what she though Howe's sentence should be, she said she and her husband weren't seeking retribution.

"Revenge is not something my husband and I want," she said. "We just want our lives back."

Howe's attorney, Dirk Manoukian, told Gibbons that his client went through a treatment program immediately after the accident and is attending Alcoholics Anonymous every day.

He said Howe was suffering many of the same issues from the accident as the victims.

Howe apologized to the Wrights for the damage he caused them.

"I'm truly remorseful and troubled over the whole matter," he said. "I apologize to the Wrights for all the pain and suffering I've caused them. I'm grateful to AA. Completing the 12 steps taught me how good life can be."

Howe was taken into custody after he was sentenced.

"I love you, Willy," his fiancée called out from the gallery as he was led off by sheriff's deputies.

n A Gardnerville woman faces up to six years in prison after she pleaded guilty on Monday to felony driving under the influence.

Monica Johnson, 49, was pulled over July 30 after rolling through a stop sign at James Road and Lassen in the Gardnerville Ranchos.

She told the deputy that she didn't have a license because she had several DUIs in Wisconsin.

Johnson's blood alcohol content at the time of the stop was .108, above the legal limit.

An Oct. 9 sentencing hearing was set. Under Nevada law, Johnson is not eligible for probation.